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Drought hits Balochistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has appealed the people to offer special prayers for after a prolonged dry spell has affected crops production.

Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province in terms of its landmass, but most of it is dependent on rains to cultivate and feed its animals.

Fewer rains have created problems for both its farmers and cattle breeders.

Provincial Governor Amirul Mulk along with army and civilian officials has already offered prayers for rains in provincial capital Quetta to invoke divine help. Similar congregations are being held in other areas as well.

Although Balochistan receives less rains than other parts of the country, diminished rains in the last three years have badly hit areas entirely dependent on rains. Signs of drought have started appearing in certain parts of the province.

In Khuzdar over 120 people have died of starvation in the last two months. It's not human alone who are suffering. Pakistan's nearly 60 percent of cattle are in Balochistan that live on its vast ranges. These ranges are also now drying up.

The provincial government had to support the cattle by supplying fodder for them and the government call for special prayers for rains shows that things are getting worse.-Internews